Mel Muoio
Stylist + Marketing MavenNo doubt you’ve been to one of Element Collective’s venues or events—these are the guys behind a trio of favorites: Nellcôte, Old Town Social, and the new RM Champagne. If you have, it’s likely because of the marketing mastery of Mel Muoio (pronounced moo-e-oh), arguably the most fashionable member of the Collective’s creative team, and a stylist-on-the-side to boot. We love her bubbly personality and intuitive mind—and it doesn’t hurt that she is always dressed to the nines. Her never-fail accessory is absolutely glowing skin. She attributes the flawless face to a piece of advice she once received: “Never skimp on quality moisturizer,” she says. “Your youth is not a dress rehearsal.” If it were a dress rehearsal, though, we’d want Mel at the helm of costume design. She lives and breathes fashion, and has shopped her way around the world, gaining a global perspective on style that she applies to her own wardrobe as well as those of her clients. We happily take fashion (and beauty!) advice from her for this week’s Spotlight.
BEAUTY MUST-HAVES>> scent: JO MALONE POMEGRANATE NOIR // moisturizer: COWSHED GRUMPY COW // concealer: BOBBI BROWN // primer: LAURA MERCIER // bronzer: NARS LAGUNA // mascara: start with L’OREAL PRIMER and finish with CHANEL // eyeliner: COVERGIRL // lips: MAC RUSSIAN RED (when I feel like bringing out my Eastern European features); typically wear CHERRY CHAPSTICK // nails: DEBORAH LIPPMANN HAPPY BIRTHDAY + also love classic red nails in tomato red tones // hair: COWSHED CONDITIONER // can’t live without: NEUTROGENA SESAME OIL
Q: How does your work in marketing interact with your work as a stylist?
A: Every day I consider myself a stylist not because I dress for work, for a guy, or for my friends, but I dress for myself and what makes me feel happy. From that energy I think I naturally meet people or clients who are looking to find that inner style spirit.
Q: That’s a great attitude. If you could style any celebrity, who would it be?
A: I would love to dress Sienna Miller. I think we have a similar style and when two minds work together, great things happen. But I think dressing Justin Timberlake would be super rad, as he is open to pushing the envelope for style expression.
Q: Yeah that, and you might get to see him in his underwear… Let’s talk about your own closet. What’s in it?
A: My closet is filled is this that and the other—I am not loyal to any brand, but pretty much whatever fits and works into the “Mel Collection.”
Q: Is there anything it’s definitely still missing?
A: A classic black and white tweed Chanel jacket.
Q:Can you give us some basic beauty tips to play up our wardrobes?
A: If you are wearing something clingy, wear your hair down with minimal make-up. If you are wearing something flowy, it is best to wear your hair back, with either a bold eye OR lip—never both.
Q: You’re a traveler; what are some major shopping destinations outside of Chicago?
A: San Francisco has the best vintage stores. Gypsy in Palm Beach, The Tannery and Portobello Road in Boston, Fred Segal and Kelly Wearstler in LA. In NYC I like to pop into Roberta Freymann and all the other cute boutiques.
Q: And back home?
A: I love Penelope’s, Mulberry & Me, Sofia for stylish casual clothes. Sarca is wonderful for high to low pieces. If I could I would…Ikram and Blake all day… not today, but someday…
Get more Mel—because too much is never enough!—on MelMuoio.com.